Shortly before the draft, a report surfaced that the hotel room inhabited by Hopkins and Rutgers receiver Mark Harrison during the NFL Scouting Combine was left trashed. Hopkins denied any involvement in the incident and Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said the team researched the incident and concluded it was "not an issue," Dennison said. Hopkins said the Texans did not call him about it because they knew he wasn't involved. less

1st round

Shortly before the draft, a report surfaced that the hotel room inhabited by Hopkins and Rutgers receiver Mark Harrison during the NFL Scouting Combine was left trashed. Hopkins denied any involvement ... more

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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1st round

DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson and Texans first-round draft pick catches a pass against his future teammate, D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.

1st round

DeAndre Hopkins of Clemson and Texans first-round draft pick catches a pass against his future teammate, D.J. Swearinger of South Carolina.

Photo: Patrick Collard / Associated Press

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2nd round

With the No. 27 pick in the second round, the Texans selected South Carolina defensive back D.J. Swearinger.

2nd round

With the No. 27 pick in the second round, the Texans selected South Carolina defensive back D.J. Swearinger.

With the No. 198 pick (sixth round) in the draft the Texans selected defensive tackle Chris Jones from Bowling Green.

6th round

With the No. 198 pick (sixth round) in the draft the Texans selected defensive tackle Chris Jones from Bowling Green.

Photo: Alex Brandon / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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6th round

Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones pursues a play.

6th round

Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones pursues a play.

Photo: Alex Brandon / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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6th round

With the No. 201 pick (sixth round) in the draft the Texans selected tight end Ryan Griffin from Connecticut.

6th round

With the No. 201 pick (sixth round) in the draft the Texans selected tight end Ryan Griffin from Connecticut.

Photo: Elsa / Getty Images

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6th round

Ryan Griffin lines up before the snap.

6th round

Ryan Griffin lines up before the snap.

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent (tryout)

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein

Undrafted free agent (tryout)

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein

Photo: Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent (tryout)

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein

Undrafted free agent (tryout)

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein

Photo: Charlie Riedel / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Photo: Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle

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Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Photo: Patrick T. Fallon / Staff Photographer

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Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Undrafted free agent

Texas A&M wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Photo: Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

Connecticut Huskies receiver Michael Smith #6.

Undrafted free agent

Connecticut Huskies receiver Michael Smith #6.

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent

Ohio State Buckeyes FB/LB Zach Boren #44.

Undrafted free agent

Ohio State Buckeyes FB/LB Zach Boren #44.

Photo: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent

Ohio State Buckeyes FB/LB Zach Boren #44.

Undrafted free agent

Ohio State Buckeyes FB/LB Zach Boren #44.

Photo: Jae C. Hong / AP

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Undrafted free agent

University of Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham #1.

Undrafted free agent

University of Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham #1.

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent

University of Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham #1.

Undrafted free agent

University of Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham #1.

Photo: Charles Krupa / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

SMU Guard Bryan Collins.

Undrafted free agent

SMU Guard Bryan Collins.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / For the Chronicle

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Undrafted free agent

Syracuse receiver Alec Lemon.

Undrafted free agent

Syracuse receiver Alec Lemon.

Photo: Kevin Rivoli / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

Cincinnati running back George Winn #32.

Undrafted free agent

Cincinnati running back George Winn #32.

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent

Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson #33.

Undrafted free agent

Arkansas running back Dennis Johnson #33.

Photo: David Quinn / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood.

Undrafted free agent

Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood.

Photo: Michael Conroy / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams #5.

Undrafted free agent

Michigan State cornerback Johnny Adams #5.

Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

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Undrafted free agent

Ohio State's cornerback Travis Howard.

Undrafted free agent

Ohio State's cornerback Travis Howard.

Photo: Brooke LaValley / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Undrafted free agent

Kansas State linebacker Justin Tuggle.

Undrafted free agent

Kansas State linebacker Justin Tuggle.

Photo: Bo Rader / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Undrafted free agent

Ohio State safety Orhian Johnson (right).

Undrafted free agent

Ohio State safety Orhian Johnson (right).

Photo: Jay LaPrete / Associated Press

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Undrafted free agent

UCF cornerback A.J. Bouye's #19.

Undrafted free agent

UCF cornerback A.J. Bouye's #19.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Undrafted free agent

USC safety Jawanza Starling #29.

Undrafted free agent

USC safety Jawanza Starling #29.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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Texans take Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins with 27th pick

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The Texans got their man Thursday night. They wanted a wide receiver – no, they needed a wide receiver – and it was Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins who had more of what they were looking for than anyone else to begin taking some of the load off 11-year veteran Andre Johnson.

“Nothing’s too big for him,” said offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who admitted he “was holding his breath” as the Texans’ moment drew nearer and Hopkins’ name remained tantalizingly on the NFL’s draft board.

Hopkins started fast as a highly touted freshman and only got better over his three seasons at Clemson. Key metrics in the draft have become consistency and improvement at the college level, and Hopkins measured up on both counts, catching 18 touchdowns passes in his third season as a starter.

“That’s a lot,” Dennison said.

Hopkins had 82 receptions for 1,405 yards last fall to finish with a Clemson career record 3,020 and managed at least one scoring reception over his final 12 games as a Tiger. He managed more than 100 yards in a game 12 times.

The 6-1, 214-pounder was the second receiver taken in the first round, after St. Louis chose Tavon Austin in the eighth spot. Hopkins became the 27th player chosen overall. The last wideout taken by the Texans with their No. 1 pick was Andre Johnson in 2003, and Hopkins is only the second offensive player since Johnson – after Duane Brown in 2008 – to go in the opening round.

Like Johnson a decade ago, Hopkins will be expected to step in and start immediately, replacing veteran Kevin Walter, who was released over the offseason. Hopkins welcomes the challenge, calling himself “a level-headed” player who doesn’t let any challenge overwhelm him. He also said he shared his new teammate Johnson’s mentality, admitting he’d followed the Texan’s career closely.

“When the ball’s in the air,” Hopkins said, “it’s ours. (Johnson) is a guy I’ve looked up to since he’s been in the league.”

The only negative surrounding him was a trashed Indianapolis hotel room that he shared with Rutgers receiver Mark Harrison during the NFL scouting combine in February. Hopkins denied having anything to do with the mess and Dennison said the Texans were comfortable with what they’d learned about the incident.

Hopkins said the team never discussed the matter with him.

Five of general manager Rick Smith’s seven previous first-round picks started all 16 games as rookies. The only exceptions were the No. 1 in 2007, Amobi Okoye, who missed two with injuries, and last year’s No. 1, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, was drafted to be a situation player, not a starter, although he did replace Brooks Reed for four games after Reed suffered a severe groin pull.

Hopkins said he knows the Texans “have a pretty solid team, a championship contender. They’ve been getting better every year. I’m happy to be walking into that kind of situation.”

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Texans take Clemson WR DeAndre Hopkins with 27th pick

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Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Fans of the New York Giants participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Fans of the New York Giants participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Fans of the Dallas Cowboys participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Fans of the New York Jets participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Fans of the New York Jets participate in the festivities at the Radio City Music Hall.

Photo: Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

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West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith celebrates after being drafted in the second round.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith celebrates after being drafted in the second round.

Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Former NFL quarterback Mark Brunell announces a selection at the NFL draft.

Former NFL quarterback Mark Brunell announces a selection at the NFL draft.

Former New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi, who assisted in rescuing an injured victim from the Boston Marathon attack, honors the victims and first responders of the bombings during the first round of the NFL football draft. less

Former New England Patriots guard Joe Andruzzi, who assisted in rescuing an injured victim from the Boston Marathon attack, honors the victims and first responders of the bombings during the first round of the ... more

Photo: Jason DeCrow / Associated Press

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Star Lotulelei receives a hug from his uncle after being selected 14th overall by the Carolina Panthers.

Star Lotulelei receives a hug from his uncle after being selected 14th overall by the Carolina Panthers.

Photo: Rick Bowmer / Associated Press

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Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath share a laugh on stage.

Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and former New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath share a laugh on stage.

Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images

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Deb Detwiler, a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder for 22 years, reacts while watching a broadcast of the Chiefs selecting Eric Fisher first overall.

Deb Detwiler, a Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder for 22 years, reacts while watching a broadcast of the Chiefs selecting Eric Fisher first overall.

Photo: David Eulitt / Associated Press

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Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle from Texas A&M, poses for a photo after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second pick.

Luke Joeckel, offensive tackle from Texas A&M, poses for a photo after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second pick.

Photo: Chris Szagola/Cal Sport Media / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Former UH player D.J. Hayden receives a call from the Oakland Raiders as their pick for the 2013 NFL draft at his house

Former UH player D.J. Hayden receives a call from the Oakland Raiders as their pick for the 2013 NFL draft at his house

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Former UH cornerback D.J. Hayden smiles as he receives the news that he's been drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

Former UH cornerback D.J. Hayden smiles as he receives the news that he's been drafted by the Oakland Raiders.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

D.J. Hayden and family celebrate the Oakland Raiders drafting him.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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D.J. Hayden speaks to the media after he was selected No. 12 by the Oakland Raiders.

D.J. Hayden speaks to the media after he was selected No. 12 by the Oakland Raiders.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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D.J. Hayden, center, stands with his mom, Tori Hayden, left, and father, Derek Hayden, right, after he was picked by the Oakland Raiders.

D.J. Hayden, center, stands with his mom, Tori Hayden, left, and father, Derek Hayden, right, after he was picked by the Oakland Raiders.